Matan: One on One Parsha Podcast

In this probing conversation with Dr. Elana Stein Hain about this week's Haftorah from Yeshayahu 54, we move from discussing the opening image of Jerusalem's surprising fertility to a deeply candid conversation about Yeshayahu's zero-sum theology. What does the post-flood covenant reveal about God's stewarding of the world? How do these sections in Yeshayahu inform the way we process the challenges and salvations we are currently experiencing? Dr. Elana's beloved song from Yeshayahu 14:3: Shuvu El Hashem (sung by the women's bet midrash Migdal Oz): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHplOvvzxhQ&list=RDOHplOvvzxhQ&start_radio=1

This year the Matan Podcast is focusing its study on the weekly Haftorah, the prophetic portion selected as a complement to each week's parsha reading. We are thrilled to embark on this new journey with you, exploring fresh biblical texts and themes that promise to deepen and enrich our Torah learning together. In this week’s conversation with Dr. Yael Ziegler, we uncover the mysterious origins of the Haftorah reading and delve into the prophetic words of Yeshayahu (42-43). Together we’ll consider the unique historical circumstances that shaped these chapters - both their tone and their profound message. This week’s episode is sponsored by Simchat Torah Challenge, a Jewish communal project inspiring tens of thousands of Jews to read the weekly parsha. To join - free - visit simchattorahchallenge.org

In this heartfelt conversation with R. Dr. J.J. Schacter, we explore the way the Halacha defines the commandment to feel joy on Sukkot and by extension on all holidays. How can the Torah command us to feel? What does joy look like in the current moment? Sources mentioned in the episode: R. Amital's essay: https://www.etzion.org.il/en/philosophy/great-thinkers/harav-yehuda-amital/commitment-vs-connecting-current-crisis-our-youth Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant: https://www.amazon.com/Option-Adversity-Building-Resilience-Finding/dp/1524732680 This episode has been dedicated by Debbie Niderberg in memory of her father Barry Morris z"l.

This conversation with Rabbanit Dr. Jennie Rosenfeld movingly addresses the preparations for Moshe's death at the end of the parsha. While he initially resists God's punishment, Moshe ends up taking an active role in his death both by physically bringing himself to the place of departure as well as preparing the nation for his absence. This conversation weaves between the parsha, honest musings about life's toughest matters, and highlights where these themes show up in the High Holiday season. This episode has been sponsored in honor of Debbie Nossbaum's birthday by her wonderful children. May she celebrate many more! Ketiva v' Chatima tova!

This week's conversation with Rabbanit Rachel Weber Leshaw zooms in on the mitzvah of Hakhel and its unique educational philosophy. An exploration of biblical verses and their interpretation ends up creating candid conversation around the gifts and challenges of involving family in spiritual spaces.

In this conversation with Dr. Ayelet Hoffmann Libson, we speak about the significant appearance of Teshuva (repentance) in the parsha as well as the way the idea is molded, personalized, and internalized throughout generations of rabbinic interpretation. This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of the parsha, especially relevant and meaningful as Rosh Hashana approaches. Shana tova!

In this conversation with Rabbanit Dr. Adina Sternberg, we explore how the tithes mentioned in this week's parsha can refine our sense of gratitude. We explore the difference between a 'maaser' mindset and a 'reishit' mindset through an original Torah idea written by Adina. To read more of Adina's Torah, check out her Hebrew book on the holidays here. This week’s episode has been sponsored in honor of Rabbi Ed and Bobbie Winter's 60th wedding anniversary by their children and grandchildren. Mazal tov!

In this fascinating conversation with R. Yitzchak Blau, we discuss the prohibition to let a dead body remain exposed overnight, learned from this week's parsha. We debate the exegetical complexities of the prohibition's phrasing and then explore the way these verses expanded over time to form the most basic legal and ethical guidelines for posthumous care. Our Devarim series highlights important rabbinic principles derived from these parshiyot.

In this nuanced and probing conversation with Matan faculty member Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash, we discuss the breadth and limitations of rabbinic authority. This conversation is an outgrowth of the instruction in our parsha not to deviate from the rulings of judges in Devarim 17:10-11, understood by our sages in the midrash halacha as a prooftext for their authority of interpretation. After exploring this drasha, we assess how the preservation of 'human dignity' sometimes overrides rabbinic law. Our Devarim series highlights important rabbinic principles derived from these parshiyot.

We have gone on vacation! But while we are off hiking and breathing, we are bringing you several episodes of a wonderful series we put out in 2021 at the start of this Matan podcasting venture. In this third and final episode Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble sat down with Dr. Yael Ziegler to discuss a host of secondary biblical characters and their significance. They delve into the tool of ‘anonymity’ used with great meaning and intent in so many biblical narratives. We will be back with new content next week!

We have gone on vacation! But while we are off hiking and breathing, we are bringing you several episodes of a wonderful series we put out in 2021 at the start of this Matan podcasting venture. In this second episode of the series, Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble sat down with Dr. Yael Ziegler to discuss how to frame themes and messages surrounding a central character. Moshe, the greatest biblical leader of all time, is used as their test case. We will be back with new content for Parshat Shoftim!

We have gone on vacation! But while we are off hiking and breathing, we are bringing you several episodes of a wonderful series we put out in 2021 at the start of this Matan podcasting venture. In this first episode our host, Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble sat down with Dr. Yael Ziegler to discuss several tools of biblical characterization and why they are significant for meaningful Tanakh study.

It is recounted in Talmud Bavli Shabbat 31a, that one of the questions asked of the deceased waiting for final judgement is whether they anticipated the redemption. In this meaningful conversation with Rabbanit Rachel Weinstein, we speak about what redemption might actually look like and what we are anticipating. We delve into a chassidic idea about the month of Av and what it reflects about the possibilities awaiting us. This conversation is an example of the kinds of conversations the period of the three weeks invites us to conduct with one another and within our communities.  The Halakhic limitations of this period set the atmosphere, but it is up to us to candidly hope for, develop, and pursue a vision for the future. This week's episode has been sponsored by Ellen Horowitz in memory of her mother, Esther Yocheved bat Chaya Leah v' Gershon, in honor of her 10th yartzeit on the 11th of Av.

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody wrote Ethics of Our Fighters: A Jewish View on War and Morality before the events of October 7th. Yet its publication shortly after the outbreak of the war in Gaza made the book especially timely—and deeply resonant. In it, R. Brody offers a “Jewish Multi-Value Framework” to navigate the often competing ethical considerations that arise in times of war—from the perspective of both those engaged in combat and those grappling with the moral questions. Drawing on emotionally charged moments from modern Israel’s history and a candid exploration of the biblical texts related to warfare, R. Brody presents a thoughtful structure and vocabulary to approach some of the most difficult ethical dilemmas. In our conversation, we explore the book’s central arguments and the diverse ways Jewish tradition has interpreted scriptural passages about war. These texts can often strike the modern reader as troubling, but as R. Brody points out, generations of sages and commentators have acknowledged these challenges and offered meaningful interpretive lenses through which to understand them. You can find R. Brody's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ethics-Our-Fighters-Jewish-Morality/dp/159264676X This week's episode has been sponsored by Shuli Rockoff in observance of the Yahrzeit for her mother, Hudell Ruchama bat Avraham Shlomo and Etta Malka on the 25th of Tammuz.

In this conversation with Dr. Ayelet Hoffman Libson, we discuss the episode of the daughters of Tzelofechad who approach Moshe asking for the right to inherit their deceased father's land. Our conversation speaks about the strength of Moshe as a humble leader as well as the women's wisdom reflected in their request for legal latitude. Thank you to Chana Shefa, Adira Lautman Botwinick, and Sivan Krug who are celebrating one year of weekly parsha learning together, with a tefilla that their connection to one another and to Torah continues to grow and flourish. Our Bamidbar Series explores different forms of leadership in the book and in the Jewish world.

In this conversation with Dr. Tanya White, we discuss the theological import of the parsha's unusual point of view, the parallels between Pharaoh and Balak's fear of Israel, and why coming to conclusions based on incomplete perceptions is a destructive behavior. This week's episode has been sponsored by Carole Damon in memory of her father Simcha Yisroel ben Shmuel whose yartzeit is on the 6th of Tammuz. Our Bamidbar Series explores different forms of leadership in the book and in the Jewish world.

Parshat Chukat opens with the ritual of the red heifer (para aduma) which purifies individuals from impurity caused by contact with a dead body. Leadership comes in all different shapes and sizes, and in this episode I had the privilege to sit down with a leader of Am Yisrael, one who leads behind the scenes in her life affirming work of caring for the dead. Sharon Laufer has been a member of the Chevra Kedisha (Jewish burial society) since she was 29 and pregnant with triplets. A hessed experiment that first served as a way to calm her fear of death, ultimately became a life calling that has brought her into rooms facing scenarios she could never have imagined. Sharon's involvement in burial and body identification has made her and others who do similar work an integral part of the army both before and after October 7th. Listen to her story--until the end--to hear about her dedication to the דtate of Israel and about the holy work she does to escort the departed from this world to the next.

In this conversation with Matan faculty member Simi Peters, we analyze Korach's tactics that made his rebellion an initial success and what ultimately caused it to fail. In her unique way, Simi weaves in midrashic traditions that underscore deeper points present in the narrative's foundation. These parsha conversations are being recorded in an ever-changing reality here in Israel. This episode opens with some thoughts about the current moment, with full understanding that reality can change in an instant. With prayers for the success of our unbelievable armed forces and for the return of the hostages. This week's episode has been sponsored by Eve and Jonathan Shiff in honor of Israel's soldiers and the hostages and their families – praying for success and safety, in body and soul. Our Bamidbar Series explores different forms of leadership in the book and in the Jewish world.

In this conversation with Rabbanit Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel, we explore where the spies went wrong, the possibility that their sin was inevitable, and where this registers in the current Israeli reality. Rabbanit Rachelle is the director of Matan's Hilkhata program and is also co-founder of The Jerusalem Unity Prize and Unity Day. Our Bamidbar Series explores different forms of leadership in the book and in the Jewish world.

Over the last year and a half, many have reflected that these times feel 'biblical.' There is a sense that the ongoing war and the surrounding societal shifts feel more significant than ever. Some of this 'biblical' scale has to do with the struggle for land and legitimacy, and some of it seems to be rooted in the heroism and clarity of the soldiers, both those in active service and reservists. They know there is a job to do and that they are the ones destined to do it. In this sensitive conversation, Dr. Yael Ziegler and Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble probe several battle stories in the book of Samuel for their guidance and wisdom regarding morality in war and the dynamic faces of courage, then and now. Make sure to listen until the episode's end for a conclusion to the miniseries. Dr, Yael Ziegler is a beloved Matan teacher and head of its Kitvuni program. She is a senior Tanakh lecturer at Herzog college and author of multiple commentaries on Tanakh. This has been a special podcast miniseries produced by Matan which dropped each week of the Omer counting between the holidays of Pesach and Shavuot. In each episode, a Bible scholar explored an iconic biblical text in light of the changing Israeli, Jewish, and world realities.